Lettuce

Leaf lettuce is the easiest kind of lettuce to grow in the garden. It can be grown during most of the season and does not require exacting cultural practices, while head lettuce is very sensitive to heat and requires more care. Select varieties of lettuce that are tolerant to heat and tip burn and that do not go to seed easily.

Bibb lettuce has become popular in recent years. It can be grown successfully during the cooler parts of the growing season. Other types of lettuce that are grown in Illinois are butterhead and cos, or romaine. Head lettuce will not do well in Illinois.

Harvest leaf lettuce when the leaves are large enough to use. Sometimes only a few of the lower leaves are harvested, allowing the center leaves to continue growing for later use.